CUK

Carnival Corporation & plc

Fundamental data last updated:September 4, 2026

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company profile

SECTOR

Consumer Cyclical

industry

Leisure

Exchange

NYSE

County of HQ

US

Next Earnings Date

Pending Announcement

Business Summary

Carnival Corporation & plc operates as a leisure travel company. Its ships visit approximately 700 ports under the Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard brand names. The company also provides port destinations and other services, as well as owns and owns and operates hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars, and motor coaches. It sells its cruises primarily through travel agents, tour operators, vacation planners, and websites. The company operates in the United States, Canada, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and internationally. It operates 87 ships with 223,000 lower berths. Carnival Corporation & plc was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

 


VALUATION

P/E

12.23

Market Cap ($M USD)

$36.52B

Forward P/E

7.10

PEG

0.10

PRICE TO SALES

1.45

PRICE TO BOOK

2.99

EV / EBITDA

8.89

5-Year Average P/E

Free Cash Flow Yield

7.63%

DCF Value

$-343.91

Graham Number

$21.85

Price to FCF

13.11

EV to FCF

21.54

Earnings Yield

7.95%

FCF Yield

7.63%

DIVIDEND

Yield

1.06%

Annual Payout

$0.30

Payout Ratio

6.72%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$2.25

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$3.87

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

$31.86B

Return on Equity (ROE)

26.22%

FREE CASH FLOW

Operating Margin

16.85%

Debt-to-Equity

2.28

Piotroski F-Score

7

Altman Z-Score

1.29

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

11.61%

Current Ratio

0.27

Quick Ratio

0.23

Net Debt to EBITDA

3.48

Interest Coverage

3.66

Gross Profit margin

37.55%

FCF PER SHARE

$2.17

REVENUE PER SHARE

$19.56

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

The market seems to be mispricing Carnival Corporation & plc, as evidenced by its snapshot price trading significantly below the DCF value. The Forward P/E of 7.10 suggests a bargain for future earnings, while the Earnings Yield of 8.51% indicates a potentially lucrative return. However, the Altman Z-score of 1.29 raises red flags about financial distress. Despite these concerns, the company’s robust Return on Equity of 26.22% showcases effective management and operational efficiency.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

Operating within the leisure industry, Carnival Corporation is uniquely positioned to leverage AI for enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiencies. The integration of AI could streamline logistics and personalize guest services, crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. However, the industry's traditional nature may slow tech adoption compared to more agile sectors.

The Bull Case

For the value-driven investor, Carnival presents a compelling opportunity. With an ROIC of 11.61%, the company demonstrates strong capital efficiency, turning investments into profits effectively. A Piotroski F-Score of 7 indicates solid financial health, while a Free Cash Flow Yield of 8.17% suggests substantial cash generation relative to its market cap. These metrics, combined with a healthy operating margin of 16.85%, highlight Carnival's pricing power and operational prowess.

The Bear Case

Carnival's structural weaknesses are glaring, particularly its high Debt/Equity ratio of 2.28, which signals significant leverage risk. The Price/Book ratio of 2.79 and Price/Sales ratio of 1.35 suggest the stock may be overvalued relative to its tangible assets and revenue. Furthermore, a Current Ratio of 0.27 and Quick Ratio of 0.23 underscore liquidity concerns, raising questions about its ability to meet short-term obligations. These factors, coupled with a low Altman Z-score, paint a picture of financial vulnerability.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

Analyst Consensus

Buy

Average Analyst Price Target

N/A

Institutional Ownership %

1-Year Beta

2.33

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

Distance to 52-Week High

22.75%

Distance to 52-Week Low

33.89%

EARNINGS SURPRISE %

8.40%

50-DAY SMA

$26.45

200-DAY SMA

$27.47

⚠️ Financial Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Information may be delayed or inaccurate. We may earn a commission from partner links.